Nov 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson gestures within the second quarter between the Denver Nuggets and the Houston Rockets at Ball Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports activities
Not way back, the Minnesota Vikings simply couldn’t resolve the Seattle Seahawks, and their one main hurdle: prime Russell Wilson. Not fairly as lethal as Aaron Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay, Wilson nonetheless represented a thorn within the Vikings’ aspect, and as of 2026, the person will depart the NFL as a participant, no less than briefly, and be a part of the CBS Sports activities sales space as a broadcaster.
Wilson final performed for the New York Giants and evidently gained’t expressly retire.
A Former Vikings Nemesis Nears His Subsequent Transfer
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson warms up earlier than a highway matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Discipline. On Oct. 26, 2025, Wilson ready for the NFC East showdown in Philadelphia because the veteran passer continued his first season with the Giants following an offseason transfer. Necessary Credit score: Invoice Streicher-Imagn Pictures
It’s Media for Wilson
“Wilson, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection who won a Super Bowl and the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award during his career, now is set to leave the NFL as a player to become an analyst on the network’s pregame show that includes James Brown, Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher. It is unclear if Wilson is retiring as a player or simply taking a pause on his playing career.”
Off the sphere and into the sales space for Wilson, like so a lot of his friends earlier than him.
Professional Soccer Speak‘s Mike Florio famous that Wilson is principally changing Matt Ryan, who went to work for the Atlanta Falcons as a entrance workplace govt.
“The Jets were considering Wilson as a veteran backup to Geno Smith, who once was Wilson’s backup in Seattle. Wilson has said he had an offer from the Jets. It’s rare for any quarterback who was once the highest-paid player in the league to happily accept the second spot on a depth chart. (Joe Flacco is one of the most significant exceptions),” Florio defined.
“Wilson was the Giants’ starter when he signed there in 2025, and he was the Steelers’ starter when he signed there in 2024. His days as a starter are and were over. As to the biggest TV opportunities, those seats don’t always pop open. With Ryan exiting, there was a current opportunity for Wilson. If he didn’t take it now, it may not have been there in a year.”
His Reign over the Vikings
Make no mistake: Wilson tormented the Vikings. Groups led by him have a 7-1 file in opposition to the purple staff, whereas Wilson personally delivered 1,763 passing yards, 16 whole touchdowns, and simply 3 interceptions. He additionally chipped in 232 dashing yards for good measure. Between 2012 and 2020 — so, 9 seasons — the Seahawks gained 7 consecutive video games in opposition to the Vikings, with Wilson as the person behind the insanity.
Based mostly on his profession cut up versus Minnesota, his stats, when scaled to a full season, would seem like this:
— 3,746 Passing Yards— 34 Whole TDs— 6 Interceptions— 493 Speeding Yards— 68.9% Completion Fee
For some time, along with Rodgers, Wilson was the Vikings’ Public Enemy No. 1.
A Profession Splat in 2022
Wilson will develop into one of the vital fascinating circumstances for the Corridor of Fame in 5 or so years — if the sales space gig means official retirement. He started his profession in Seattle with super seasons and solely tailed off when he arrived in Denver.
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson takes the sphere earlier than a house recreation in opposition to the New England Patriots at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive. Previous to the Dec. 24, 2023, contest in Denver, Wilson accomplished his pregame routine because the Broncos pursued a late-season push within the AFC playoff race. Necessary Credit score: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports activities
With a brand new staff, the whole lot modified for Wilson. He turned 34 that yr, and nobody — particularly the Broncos’ entrance workplace — remotely thought of that he may encounter an age-related decline. However he did. Denver rapidly soured on Wilson, particularly when Sean Payton rode into city in 2023. The Broncos later lower bait, and Wilson landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 and the New York Giants in 2025.
He merely was not the person from the Seattle run in Denver, Pittsburgh, or New York. He regarded like a replacement-level starter who teetered on QB2 materials.
These are the numbers:
Russell Wilson,EPA+CPOE Rankings,NFL Rating:
2012-2021: eighth in NFL (of 32)2022-2025: twenty seventh in NFL (of 32)
He fell off after departing Seattle. Plain and easy.
Open to a Return?
Wilson didn’t retire this week, which hints at an open door in 2026 and past. Sadly, yearly within the NFL, a handful of beginning quarterbacks are misplaced for the season as a result of harm, and males like Joe Flacco develop into wanted in a rush. That may very well be Wilson this season.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson appears to be like to flee strain throughout a recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Within the second quarter on Sep. 26, 2021, Wilson scrambled away from Vikings defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson as Seattle and Minnesota battled in an early-season NFC matchup. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports activities
For instance, faux he’s cozy within the CBS Sports activities sales space, however then Matthew Stafford tears one thing, leaving the Los Angeles Rams looking for a alternative choice to accompany a roster able to win a Tremendous Bowl. A person like Wilson may very well be the primary name, outfitted with contemporary legs and no formal retirement.
This state of affairs must be in play as a result of Wilson would’ve retired in any other case this offseason.
He’ll flip 38 in November.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
